Flow Control Protocols Flow control protocols are mechanisms that manage the flow of data between devices on a network. They ensure that data is transmitted...
Flow Control Protocols
Flow control protocols are mechanisms that manage the flow of data between devices on a network. They ensure that data is transmitted and received correctly and efficiently, preventing errors and ensuring that resources are utilized appropriately.
Stop-and-Wait:
In the Stop-and-Wait protocol, each device waits for an acknowledgment (ACK) from the recipient before sending another unit.
This approach is simple and reliable, but it can lead to long delays and high overhead due to the need for repeated communication.
Stop-and-Wait is often used in early network designs before faster protocols were developed.
Go-Back-N:
The Go-Back-N protocol operates on a "need-to-know" basis.
Each device sends data to the recipient, and the receiver acknowledges each received packet.
This approach allows for faster data transfer, but it can be more complex to implement and may lead to dropped packets if the receiver is busy.
Selective Repeat:
The Selective Repeat protocol is a hybrid of the Stop-and-Wait and Go-Back-N protocols.
It combines elements of both protocols, allowing the receiver to acknowledge data packets without explicitly requesting them.
This reduces overhead compared to Go-Back-N but still provides reliable data transfer.
Key Differences:
| Protocol | Flow Control |
|---|---|
| Stop-and-Wait | Yes |
| Go-Back-N | No |
| Selective Repeat | Yes |